Chapter 226 Shen Gongbao Enters Xiqi
When the demon gods witnessed this scene, their eyes almost spit fire, and their hearts were filled with disbelief and shock.

The prince of the demon clan had a high status in the demon clan, but he was defeated!
This is a severe blow to the entire demon race.

They were still counting on the demon prince to lead them to regroup, but the demon prince, whom they regarded as their leader, fell first!

The bodies of the demon gods began to tremble involuntarily, and a hint of fear appeared in their eyes.

As the strongest among the demon clan, they never thought that the demon prince would be defeated one day.

An indescribable feeling welled up in the hearts of the demon gods, it was fear and uncertainty about the future.

The two demon gods Qiongqi and Xiqu in the distance were even more terrified, and unprecedented fear appeared in their eyes.

Although they surrendered, it was not out of their own will, but they were forced to do so in order to survive.

But they didn’t expect that the demon prince would be defeated!
The master they now serve, Yang Ling, is standing under the starry sky, like an unshakable god. The star power emanating from his body makes all the demon gods feel deeply oppressed.

His eyes swept across all the demon gods present, and his cold gaze made it impossible for them to look directly at him.

The demon gods were filled with fear and hesitation, and they dared not act rashly. They originally thought they were at the top of the food chain, but they did not expect the other party to be such a terrifying existence.

……

West Kunlun

The mountains are towering and covered with snow all year round, with clouds and mist lingering in between, as if they are a barrier between heaven and earth, isolating the hustle and bustle of the world from outside.

The mountain stream is gurgling and crystal clear, and various exotic flowers and plants grow beside the stream, emitting a faint fragrance, which is refreshing.

Deep in the West Kunlun Mountains, there is an immortal cave.

There is an open flat land in front of the cave, surrounded by lush ancient trees. The sun shines through the treetops, casting mottled light and shadows. The door of the cave is carved from jade, with ancient runes engraved on it, emitting a faint light.

Entering the cave, what comes into view is a spacious hall with walls inlaid with various gems, sparkling with colorful light.

There is a jade platform in the center of the hall, on which are placed various immortal fruits and elixirs, emitting an alluring aroma. On the surrounding walls are hung magical treasures and instruments of the immortals, each of which contains powerful power.

Deep in the cave, there is a winding stone staircase leading to a more mysterious place for cultivation. On both sides of the stone staircase, there are various patterns of fairy beasts and mythical beasts, which are lifelike and seem to jump out at any time. Going up the stone staircase, you can feel a strong spiritual energy, which makes people feel peaceful and as if they have merged with the world.

At the deepest part of the cave, there is a secret room. This is where the Taoist Lu Ya, the immortal from West Kunlun, practices in seclusion.

There is a jade bed in the secret room, covered with soft brocade, and the surrounding walls are engraved with various cultivation methods and experiences.

Taoist Lu Ya was wearing a Taoist robe, with long fluttering beard, and taking strange steps. Every step seemed to contain the mystery between heaven and earth.

He stared intently at the blood-stained scarecrow in front of him. The scarecrow looked surprisingly similar to Yang Ling, and every straw seemed to contain some kind of mysterious power.

The scarecrow was inserted into a copper plate in the center of the cave, surrounded by densely packed runes, emitting a faint golden glow.

Taoist Lu Ya held a short sword in his hand, and there were also complex runes engraved on the sword, which faintly echoed the runes on the copper plate.

He was muttering to himself in a low but powerful voice, as if he was reciting some ancient and mysterious spell.

With his steps and spells, the air around the scarecrow began to distort, and ominous auras emanated from the scarecrow.

He began to worship, and every time he worshipped, a faint light flashed on the scarecrow's body; he worshipped nine times, and cracks seemed to appear on the scarecrow's body; he worshipped twenty-seven times, and the scarecrow's body began to tremble; when he worshipped forty-nine times, the scarecrow could no longer withstand the impact of this mysterious power, and it exploded, turning into ashes and dissipating into the air.

As the scarecrow disappeared, the air in the entire cave seemed to become much fresher, and the originally oppressive atmosphere was swept away.

Taoist Lu Ya stood up, looked up to the sky and laughed, his voice echoing throughout the cave.

"Hahaha, Yang Ling, you're finally dead!"

At this moment, a figure slowly walked into the secret room. It was Bai Ze Demon Saint. A trace of approval flashed in his eyes, and then he nodded and said, "Congratulations on getting rid of a big worry. If you can get the Hongmeng Purple Qi, you can really look to the world and have a promising future."

Taoist Lu Ya put away his smile, turned around, and bowed to the Demon Saint Bai Ze: "Thanks to the Demon Saint's assistance, we were able to conceal our true intentions.

Now that Yang Ling is dead, we must keep a low profile to avoid attracting the attention of the Human Cult."

Bai Ze Demon Saint nodded and said, "You are right. Next we just need to strengthen ourselves and wait for the opportunity."

At this moment, Taoist Lu Ya's face suddenly changed drastically, his body shook violently, and then he covered his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

His eyes were instantly filled with pain and fear. His whole body was shaking and he finally fell to the ground. He held his head tightly with both hands and roared in pain.

“Ah——” The screams of Taoist Lu Ya echoed in the secret room. His body kept rolling over and over, and every time he turned over, he seemed to be suffering unspeakable pain.

Seeing this, Bai Ze Demon Saint's expression suddenly changed. He hurried forward to help Taoist Lu Ya up, and asked anxiously, "What happened to you?"

Taoist Lu Ya was in great pain. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words: "The other half of my soul... who was transformed into the demon prince... has fallen!"

When the Demon Saint Bai Ze heard this, he was immediately shocked. He knew that the Sixth Prince of Jinwu, Lu Jun, had split his soul into two in order to avoid his enemies.

Half of the soul became the prince of the demon clan, who controlled the remnants of the demon clan, and the other half of the soul turned into Taoist Lu Ya, hiding in West Kunlun.

Only a few high-ranking demon clan members know this secret.

I didn’t expect that the prince of the demon clan would die now.

“Yang Ling… actually has such a method. This man should not be underestimated.” Bai Ze Demon Saint said in a deep voice, with a trace of fear in his eyes. “It seems that you and I have underestimated him. If we don’t get rid of him soon, he will become a serious threat in the future!”

Taoist Lu Ya almost fainted from the pain, but he still managed to stay conscious and nodded, his eyes full of resentment and hatred: "Yes... Yang Ling... This boy... must be eliminated as soon as possible!"

Their eyes met, and they both saw determination and murderous intent in each other's eyes.

They knew that it would be extremely difficult to kill Yang Ling, but for the sake of their own cause, they had to eliminate this potential threat at all costs.

At this moment, Taoist Lu Ya's body gradually calmed down, but his face was still as pale as paper, and he had obviously suffered a great shock.

Upon seeing this, Demon Saint Bai Ze knew that the most important thing at the moment was to stabilize Taoist Lu Ya's injuries. He immediately took out some elixirs and carefully fed them to Taoist Lu Ya.

As the effect of the medicine took effect, Taoist Lu Ya's breathing gradually stabilized. He closed his eyes and began to recuperate his injured spirit.

The Demon Saint Bai Ze stood aside with a deep gaze, secretly thinking about the next strategy in his heart.

He stroked his beard, his eyes were sharp, and he said in a deep voice: "Lu Ya, the situation is urgent now, we can no longer fight alone. It is better to join the Western Church and borrow the two saints as a backer, so that we don't have to worry about the saints behind Yang Ling."

Taoist Lu Ya slowly opened his eyes. Although his face was still pale, the light in his eyes was unusually firm.

He shook his head, his voice weak but full of determination: "No, if we join the Western Religion, we will become puppets of others and will no longer be able to rule the demon race. I would rather take advantage of the Conferred God Tribulation and join the Chan Religion."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ze Demon Saint frowned slightly, then smiled and patted Taoist Lu Ya on the shoulder: "What you said makes sense. The Chan Sect is one of the oldest forces in the world. If we can make friends with the Chan Sect, great things can be expected."

Taoist Lu Ya nodded, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "That's right. The Chan Sect has Yuanshi Tianzun in charge, and it is on par with the Human Sect. If we can get his protection, even if Yang Ling wants to, it will be difficult for him to pose a threat to us."

The two looked at each other and could see a hint of excitement and anticipation in each other's eyes. Although they had just experienced a tragic blow, their hearts were still burning with ambition and hope.

Bai Ze Demon Saint stood up, looked around, and said in a deep voice: "However, if we want to gain the favor of the Chan Sect, we must make some contributions. The Conferred God Tribulation is approaching, and countless heroes will emerge in the world. If we can make great contributions in this tribulation, we will definitely gain the attention of the Chan Sect."

Taoist Lu Ya slowly stood up. Although he was still a little shaky, his voice was firm: "The Demon Saint is right. Once the Conferred God Tribulation breaks out, the world will be in chaos. We must not only protect ourselves, but also take the opportunity to expand our power and strive to occupy a place after the tribulation."

Bai Ze Demon Saint nodded, his eyes like lightning, sweeping across the entire cave: "Then let's start preparing from now on. We must first stabilize the internal situation and integrate the remaining forces of the demon clan, and then look for an opportunity to contact the Chan Sect."

Taoist Lu Ya took a deep breath, and seemed to be cheered up: "Okay, let's do it. Although I lost half of my soul this time, as long as I can draw on the power of the Chan Sect, I, Lu Ya, will be able to make a comeback!"

……

In the secret realm of Donghequan, the air was filled with rich spiritual energy. A group of demon gods gathered in a circle, their faces pale, as if they had lost their parents.

They originally thought that they were high and mighty, but now they were forced by Yang Ling, a powerful human, and had to bow their heads and beg for mercy.

“Lord Yang Ling, we are willing to surrender! Please show mercy and spare our lives!” said a demon god in a trembling voice. His body kept shaking, and he was obviously shocked by Yang Ling’s powerful strength.

Other demon gods also knelt on the ground and begged. They knew that at this moment, only begging for mercy would give them a chance of survival.

Yang Ling stood high in the sky, overlooking these once majestic demon gods. There was no mercy in his eyes, only cold determination.

He said calmly: "You can surrender, but you can avoid the death penalty, but you cannot escape the punishment of life. You must accept my seal."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Ling flipped his hand, and the three major formations of cloud formation, thunder formation, and star formation were activated at the same time. The sky and the earth suddenly changed color, thunder rolled, stars twinkled, and an overwhelming force enveloped the entire Donghequan Secret Realm.

The demon gods were terrified. They felt a despair they had never felt before, but in front of Yang Ling's powerful strength, they were powerless and could only watch as the sealing power suppressed them one by one.

As the formation was operating, waves of sealing power descended from the sky and suppressed all the demon gods to the ground. Their bodies were firmly locked by the sealing power, unable to move at all.

There was no emotion in Yang Ling's eyes. He knew that if these demon gods were not sealed, they would become a serious threat in the future.

Now, they were his captives and could no longer pose a threat to him.

After dealing with these demon gods, Yang Ling turned around and his eyes fell on the Qiongqi Demon God and the Xiqu Demon God. He said calmly: "You two, lead the way and continue to the Nine Sun Spring Secret Realm."

The Demon God Qiongqi and the Demon God Xiqu looked at each other. They knew they had no choice but to obey orders.

They nodded, drove the Sun Chaser, and led Yang Ling towards the Nine Sun Spring Secret Realm.

……

Morning song
The walls of the Shang capital are tall and solid, built with huge stones. The city gates are majestic and magnificent, with bronze drums and battle flags hung on the gate towers, constantly reminding people of the city's former glory and honor.

There was an endless stream of merchants and travelers inside and outside the city walls. They gathered here from all directions, bringing with them all kinds of rare treasures and exotic customs.

The streets in the city are wide and paved with bluestone slabs, with shops and workshops lined up on both sides. There is a wide variety of goods such as gold and silver wares, silk, ceramics, spices, etc., and various hawking and bargaining sounds are heard one after another, full of vitality and vigor. On the streets, pedestrians come and go, including nobles in gorgeous clothes, simple common people, and foreigners from afar.

In the center of Chaoge City is a magnificent palace with a unique architectural style that combines the simplicity and mystery of the Shang Dynasty. The roof of the palace is covered with glazed tiles, which sparkle brightly in the sun.

Around the palace are temples, mansions and gardens.

Various gods are enshrined in temples and incense is burning. Mansions are the residences of the powerful and wealthy. The gardens are full of lush flowers and trees and gurgling water, making them a great place for people to relax and have fun.

However, behind the prosperity of Chaoge City, there are also hidden crises and instability.

Today, various princes are rebelling, the royal power is corrupt, and the people are living in misery. The high-rise building of the Shang Dynasty is crumbling, and even the capital city of Chaoge is not immune.

There was a fierce power struggle inside and outside the palace, and all kinds of conspiracies and intrigues emerged one after another. The tyranny of King Di Xin of Shang cast a shadow over the city.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, lightning and thunder. Lightning flashed through the clouds like dragons, illuminating the entire city of Chaoge.

The people in the city hid in their homes, closing their doors and windows. Only the lights in the palace remained brightly lit.

King Di Xin of Shang sat on a high throne, his eyes were sharp, he was playing with a jade pendant in his hand, with a cruel smile on his lips.

He ordered the conscription of civilians to build the Lutai and Zhaixing Tower. The grandeur of these two buildings surpassed everything else, but the price was the blood, sweat and even lives of countless civilians.

The ministers made recommendations one after another, but Emperor Xin not only did not listen, but he executed all those ministers who made recommendations as a warning to others.

Xibohou Jichang was imprisoned for opposing Emperor Xin's tyranny, and Bo Yikao, who presented treasures, was chopped into meat paste, made into meat jerky, and sent to Xibohou's cell...

This cruel act made the atmosphere in the entire Chaoge City even more tense.

Duke Xibo endured the humiliation and swallowed the jerky in front of Emperor Xin.

This made Emperor Xin very happy, and he let him go soon after.

That night, in another mansion in Chaoge City, Jiang Ziya was counting the accounts meticulously.

Suddenly, a burst of rapid sound of wind and thunder broke the tranquility of the night, and Jiang Ziya felt an unusual breath.

He stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open suddenly. He saw a flash of lightning in the night sky. Then, an ugly young man with wings on his back holding a white-haired old man came through the air and headed straight for his mansion.

The boy's wings sparkled silver in the night. He had a pointed beak and a dark complexion, looking extremely strange.

Although the old man was old and weak, he exuded the majesty of a high-ranking official. He was none other than Ji Chang, the Duke of Xibo, who had just escaped from prison.

When King Ji Chang of Xibo was in trouble, Jiang Ziya also helped him out of righteous indignation.

Ji Chang's eyes revealed a trace of urgency. He walked into the house with a staggering step and looked directly at Jiang Ziya. Although his voice was weak, it was full of sincerity: "Ziya, I know that you are very talented. If I can get your help, Xiqi will surely prosper. I am willing to appoint you as prime minister and work together for a great cause."

Jiang Ziya smiled slightly and shook his head. His eyes were clear and firm. "Lord Xibo, I appreciate your kindness, but I am not interested in this. I just want to practice Taoism in peace and not get involved in court disputes."

Xibohou frowned. He did not expect Jiang Ziya to refuse so outright. However, he did not give up and continued to persuade him: "Ziya, I know you have great ambitions. If you are willing to follow me to Xiqi and work together for great cause, you will surely go down in history. The people of the world need you, and Xiqi needs you."

Jiang Ziya still shook his head, his tone calm but firm: "Ji Chang, I have my own path, I will not participate in your great cause. Please go back, don't embarrass me anymore."

Just then, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door.

The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe and with a smile on his face walked in. It was Shen Gongbao.

"Brother." Shen Gongbao bowed slightly, then turned his gaze to Jiang Ziya, "I was passing by Chaoge on business, so I came to visit you."

Seeing this, Jiang Ziya's eyes flashed with cunning, and he said to Shen Gongbao: "Shen Gongbao, you came at the right time. Xibohou intends to reorganize Xiqi and needs talented people to assist him. Your talent and knowledge are exactly what Xibohou needs."

Shen Gongbao's eyes showed a hint of surprise when he heard this. He turned to look at Xibohou Jichang and said respectfully: "Xibohou, if you don't give up, Shen is willing to follow you and do my best."

King Ji Chang of Xibo looked at Shen Gongbao in front of him. Although he felt sorry for Jiang Ziya's rejection, Shen Gongbao in front of him was obviously a rare talent.

He nodded, with a hint of expectation in his tone: "Shen Gongbao, if you can join us, Xiqi will surely rise. I am willing to work with you to support Da Shang and let the people live and work in peace and contentment."

Shen Gongbao bowed and saluted, expressing his willingness to be loyal to Duke Xibo.

Jiang Ziya watched the two men leave and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that although he did not want to get involved in court politics, his actions today might be considered a good thing for the people of the world.

He turned back to the table and continued to sort out his accounts. The wind and thunder were still raging outside the window, but his heart was as calm as still water.

……

Saiki
Located on the western border of Da Shang, it is famous for its prosperity and good order.

The walls of Xiqi City are solid and tall, built of huge stones and bricks, and the city gates are wide enough to accommodate carriages and horses running side by side.

On the city wall, many soldiers patrolled and guarded to protect the safety of the city. Outside the city gate, a wide moat surrounded the city wall, and the clear water of the river reflected the majesty of the city wall.

Entering the city, you will find that the streets are well planned, with the central avenue as the axis and extending in all directions.

The streets were lined with sycamores and willows, providing cool shade for pedestrians. Shops were lined up with signs hanging high, selling a wide variety of goods, from silk, bronze ware to gold and silver jewelry.

The vendors greeted customers enthusiastically, and the streets were bustling with people, but in an orderly manner without crowds or chaos.

In the city center is a magnificent palace with a solemn and elegant architectural style. The roof is covered with glazed tiles, sparkling with golden light in the sun.

Surrounding the palace are government offices and officials' residences, as well as various religious and cultural buildings such as temples, academies and theaters, which enriched the spiritual life of the citizens.

Education in Xiqi City is very developed, with academies and schools spread all over the city. Scholars give lectures here, and students study diligently, passing on knowledge and culture.

On the stage, opera and dance performances attracted many audiences, who enjoyed the artistic influence here.

The city's order is due to strict laws and regulations. Officials are fair and selfless, diligent and caring for the people, maintaining social fairness and justice. Citizens abide by the law, respect each other, and jointly create a harmonious and stable social environment.

In the suburbs of Xiqi City, there are fertile farmlands. Farmers work hard to grow grains and cereals to ensure the city's food supply.

Clear streams meander between the farmlands, irrigating the land and nourishing people's lives.

With the return of Xibohou Jichang, the streets of Xiqi were bustling with people and filled with joy. Every household hung up colorful lanterns, set out wine and food, and beat gongs and drums, as if it were a grand festival.

The children waved small flags, ran back and forth, and cheered, "Hou Xibo is back! Hou Xibo is back!"

The old people sat at the doorstep of their homes, with satisfied smiles on their faces, nodding and sighing from time to time.

Ji Chang sat in a carriage pulled by tall horses and passed through this joyful street. With tears in his eyes, he waved to his fellow villagers frequently.

When he saw these familiar faces and heard these sincere cheers, he felt so grateful that he couldn't express it in words.

At this moment, he deeply felt the blood ties between himself and this land and these people.

Shen Gongbao followed closely behind. Although it was his first time in Xiqi, he was deeply moved by the warm atmosphere.

He looked at the strong affection between Ji Chang and the people and could not help but praise him sincerely: "The Duke of Xibo really has the support of the people.

Such a scene makes people feel emotional. Under the tyranny of King Zhou of Shang, people were living in poverty and the people of the world were suffering.

If you raise an army, countless heroes will respond to your call and overthrow the brutal rule."

After hearing what Shen Gongbao said, Ji Chang frowned slightly. Although he was excited, he still remained sober.

He shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of heaviness: "Shen Gongbao, I understand what you mean. I have also seen the sufferings of the people of the world and I feel the same way.

But if I act rashly, not only will I fail to save the people from the disaster, but I may even cause greater unrest. I cannot be disloyal or unjust, and I cannot let the people of Xiqi suffer from the flames of war because of my decision."

After Shen Gongbao heard this, his eyes were determined. He took a step forward, his tone full of passion: "Lord Xibo, I understand your concerns, but destiny has its time and cannot be disobeyed. The rise of Zhou and the fall of Shang are the will of heaven.

If King Zhou of Shang continues to be tyrannical and the world is in chaos, how can we just sit back and watch as the people suffer?"

Ji Chang was silent for a moment. He looked up at the sky, as if looking for an answer. After a moment, he sighed deeply, and a firm look flashed in his eyes: "Shen Gongbao, I have heard your words.

Indeed, if this is God's will, I am not willing to sit idly by. But now, the time is not yet ripe, and we are not strong enough to fight against King Zhou of Shang.

We need time, more strength, and more careful planning.”

Shen Gongbao nodded. He knew that Ji Chang was a man who could judge the situation and would not make a decision easily. "Hou Xibo is wise. Then, we should first stabilize the people's hearts in Xiqi and strengthen our strength. When the time is right, we can make great plans."

Ji Chang looked at Shen Gongbao with a trace of gratitude in his eyes: "With the help of a wise minister like you, I am full of confidence in the future of Xiqi. We will rise up against the Shang Dynasty, but we must not rush for quick success. Now, what we need to do is to consolidate our foundation, cultivate talents, develop farming, and build up our strength. When we have strong soldiers and horses, we will act according to the will of heaven."

Shen Gongbao bowed deeply and said sincerely: "Lord Xibo, I am willing to do my best to serve Xiqi."

Xibohou Jichang nodded slightly, and then said seriously: "I have heard of the talent and courage of the immortal. If I can get your assistance today, the future of Xiqi will be brighter. I hereby formally invite you to join the court and serve as prime minister, and work with me to rule the world."

Shen Gongbao raised his head upon hearing this and said solemnly, "I am willing to accept your invitation and become the Prime Minister of Xiqi to work together for the great cause of the world."

When Ji Chang heard Shen Gongbao's answer, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He knew that his choice was right, and Shen Gongbao's joining would bring new hope and strength to Xiqi.

Soon after Shen Gongbao readily agreed to be appointed prime minister, a grand ceremony of appointing him as prime minister was held in the palace in Xiqi City.

Ji Chang personally granted Shen Gongbao the seal of prime minister and announced that he officially became the prime minister of Xiqi.

After the ceremony, Shen Gongbao began his duties. Together with Ji Chang, he reviewed state affairs, formulated laws, recruited talented people, and reorganized the military, making Xiqi's national strength increasingly strong and the people's lives increasingly stable.

……

(End of this chapter)